“The Conservative Environmentalist” is a book written by a man who has sparked conversation across the country and founded an organization aiming to change the way politics operates as a whole. Benji Backer is an entrepreneur and activist from the Midwest who has been making waves his entire career. From being in Forbes, Red Alert, and Green Biz’s 30 under 30, to starting the American Conservation Coalition, to writing his own book about environmentalism, Backer has an extensive resume.
On Oct. 8, Backer will be coming to campus to talk about his new book and his life as a whole. He began the American Conservation Coalition as a way to get young Republicans across the country to help in the fight against climate change. It is no mystery to the American public that climate change has long been seen as a problem that is prioritised by the left side of the political aisle and Backer hopes to change that.
Climate change is a problem that affects all people and Backer has strived to make waves in this regard. With his experience as a member of BridgeUSA, the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Climate Change Commission, in addition to testifying at Congress, Backer has been pushing the fight for climate change from a conservative standpoint for years.
Backer is being brought to campus by new College of Business Faculty Member and Presidential Fellow, Matt Burgess. Burgess has been initiating a wide slate of events on campus, having already hosted a rapid response dialogue on the UW Principles and planning another on guns on campus. He has also been holding monthly discussions and open dialogues with other colleges in the Mountain West in addition to UW about important topics.
Burgess also serves as the faculty advisor for the civil dialogue organization BridgeUWYO.
The Backer event is a unique opportunity to see one of the most influential conservative climate change activists in the nation speak on important issues, as well as his new book. The event will include pizza and free copies of the book and will be happening in the College of Business Scarlet Auditorium, on Oct. 8, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
